Liquidambar stryaciflua – Sweet Gum – with maple-like leaves morphing from rich green through yellows and amber. russet and red and to cherry-black. Just one more reason to visit Kew Gardens any time soon.
An equal to the Japanese Maple for Autumn fireworks and best appreciated as specimen trees in larger landscapes – they will ultimately be Big Trees and unsuitable for many urban gardens for this reason – but worth a Pilgrimage to seek out the best examples in your area. Kew has them aplenty, Wisley too boasts a good selection. Once seen, forever smitten!
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=6247
http://www.gardenersworld.com/blogs/plants/liquidambar-plant-this-tree/2647.html
The Teddington Gardener 